Idaho Code §§ 6-301 to 6-324 § 6-317
TREBLE DAMAGES.
Operative Text
If a landlord or a tenant recovers damages for a forcible or unlawful entry in or upon, or detention of, any building or other tract of land, or for an action brought pursuant to section 6-320, Idaho Code, or for an action brought against a tenant or in bad faith pursuant to section 6-310(3), Idaho Code, judgment may be entered for three (3) times the amount at which the actual damages are assessed.
Idaho Code Title 6, Chapter 3, § 6-317 establishes that when a court finds a party liable for a forcible or unlawful entry, unlawful detention of property, or for certain bad-faith actions under related statutes, the prevailing party may be awarded up to three times the amount of their actual proven damages. This treble-damages remedy applies to claims brought by either landlords or tenants, depending on who was wronged. The multiplier is not automatic — a court must first assess the underlying actual damages before tripling them.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 6-317, landlords who pursue claims for forcible or unlawful entry against a tenant may be eligible for a damages award multiplied up to three times the actual loss established at trial. Operators who document property damage, lost rent, and related costs carefully are better positioned to support an actual-damages finding that forms the basis for any treble-damages calculation. Landlords should also be aware that § 6-317 cuts both ways — bad-faith actions brought under § 6-310(3) can expose a landlord to the same treble-damages remedy in favor of the tenant.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section § 6-317 gives tenants a meaningful remedy if a landlord engages in a forcible or unlawful entry or acts in bad faith under § 6-310(3) — a court can award up to three times the tenant's actual damages. Tenants who believe they have experienced an unlawful entry or a bad-faith eviction action may want to document all related losses, such as displacement costs or damaged belongings, since actual damages are the foundation for any treble award. Tenant-rights organizations and Idaho Legal Aid can help tenants understand whether the circumstances of their situation fall within the scope of this provision.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 22, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
Effective Timeline
References In
Rules and statutes that cite this regulation